Committee Approves Community Services, Violence Prevention Plan - 07 May 26

Hamilton’s Emergency and Community Services Committee heard a proposal from Mohawk College and Hillfield Strathallan College for a high-performance artificial turf facility and referred it to staff for evaluation under the city’s recreation master plan framework. The committee also approved motions on hate and violence prevention, sidewalk snow-clearing enforcement, Bernie Arbour Stadium operations, child care expansion, and one-year funding for Interval House’s rural gender-based violence program.

Topics Discussed

1. ARTIFICIAL TURF PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL

Paul Armstrong of Mohawk College and representatives of Hillfield Strathallan College presented a proposal for an artificial turf field partnership involving the city and the two institutions. Presenters said the project “meticulously aligns with the city's recreation master plan” and described a facility that would include lighting, a fieldhouse with washrooms and changerooms, and a FIFA-standard short field.

Paul said the artificial turf would use “very natural materials” and argued the project would reduce water and fertilizer use: “we know that there will be no need for water for fertilizer.” He also said one artificial field “will actually equate to about four to six grass fields” in usage. The committee granted the delegation an extra five minutes, for a total of 10 minutes, by unanimous consent.

2. PROCESS FOR UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS

Committee members and staff spent significant time on how the city handles unsolicited partnership proposals. General manager staff said, “we do not have a formalized process,” explaining that proponents typically approach staff first and are then directed to committee so the process remains transparent.

Councillors questioned how future proposals would be assessed and whether communities without strong institutional partners could be disadvantaged. Councillor Alex Wilson asked what would guide staff “in this really difficult space” given the city’s financial constraints and equity concerns, noting that some parts of the city have little room for new greenspace and fewer partnership opportunities. Later, Wilson asked what to tell groups in Ward 2 that may now wonder whether they should come directly to committee or wait for a formal process.

Councillor Cameron Crutch said delegations often come forward because “staff go so far in their ability within the confines of city policies cannot go any further,” and political direction is needed before staff can continue analysis. The committee ultimately referred the proposal to the Director of Recreation for evaluation through the recreation master plan framework rather than endorsing the project itself.

3. HATE AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

The committee heard deputations about hate activity in Hamilton, including extremist demonstrations and hate symbols in public spaces. Lyndon told councillors, “Symbols matter. Language matters. Public displays of hate are intended to intimidate, recruit, provoke fear, and send messages to racialized, immigrant, newcomers, Jewish, Muslim, black, indigenous, and two L 2 SLGBTQ plus communities that they are that they are unsafe or unwelcome.”

He also warned that “context matters” because incidents are being amplified online, with people recording confrontations and sharing them to spread extremist messages. One councillor said Hamilton has “a pretty dark history” with racist activity and pointed to recent white supremacist demonstrations on James Street North, adding, “If people don't think something bad is happening right now that requires our attention, they need to wake up.”

The committee approved a motion calling for coordinated action, training, and improved public awareness tools.

4. SNOW REMOVAL BYLAW ENFORCEMENT

The Seniors Advisory Committee brought forward recommendations on sidewalk snow-clearing enforcement. Discussion focused on whether the city should expand snow clearing beyond priority and transit routes and how to improve enforcement when property owners fail to clear sidewalks within 24 hours.

Councillor Moren Wilson noted that expanding snow clearing to priority and transit routes had previously been defeated at public works committee in 2021 before being revived at council, saying the later vote “succeeded on a surprise and everything everybody was surprised 9 to6 vote.” The committee approved a feasibility study and related referrals for further review.

5. COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITY AGREEMENTS

The committee approved several service and facility items.

For Bernie Arbour Stadium, members approved a 10-year operating and maintenance agreement with Spear Sports Group, with two optional five-year extensions. Chair Clark said the agreement includes “on line maintenance of the field, mutually agreed upon facility upgrades, and capital investment commitments by the Spear Sports Group.” Councillor Tom Jackson praised Eric Spearin’s role in reviving the team, saying attendance has risen to “close to 2,000 people in the stands.”

The committee also approved receipt of provincial and federal child care funding, including 333 new spaces and $2.9 million. Staff said the Ministry of Education’s recommended target is 37 per cent and Hamilton will be “close to that but not quite” by year-end.

Members also approved a one-year, $250,000 funding agreement for Interval House of Hamilton’s WEARS program serving rural women and gender-diverse people experiencing gender-based violence.

Motions

• Extension of Delegation Time for Mohawk/Hillfield Turf Proposal — Passed unanimously
• Motion to Receive the Artificial Turf Presentation — Passed unanimously
• Referral of Mohawk College/Hillfield Strath Allan Artificial Turf Proposal to the Director of Recreation for Evaluation Under the Recreation Master Plan — Carried 7-0
• Hate and Violence Prevention Motion — Passed unanimously
• Feasibility Study to Extend Sidewalk Snow Clearing Beyond Priority and Transit Routes — Carried 7-0
• Snow Removal Bylaw Enforcement / Seniors Advisory Committee Recommendation (CCR SAC 260001) — Passed unanimously
• Child Care Expansion Funding and 333 New Spaces (HSC26035) — Approved
• LGBTQ Advisory Committee Transition to Community Liaison Groups (Items 8.2 and 8.3) — Carried 6-1
• Bernie Arbour Stadium Operating and Maintenance Agreement with Spear Sports Group — Passed unanimously
• One-Year Funding Agreement for Interval House of Hamilton WEARS Program ($250,000, Project ID 6502553101) — Passed
• Rules Suspension to Introduce Notice of Motion on Gender-Based Violence Program Continuation — Passed 5-0

Attendees

• Chair Clark
• Councillor Tom Jackson
• Councillor Cameron Crutch
• Councillor Moren Wilson
• Councillor Tammy Wang
• Councillor Alex Wilson
• Councillor Narendra Nan (virtual)